Akwa Ibom approves`Nest of Champions’ for Akwa United

The Akwa Ibom Government has approved the usage of the Akwa Ibom International Stadium in Uyo for Akwa United Football Club’s home matches in the Nigeria Professional FootballLeague (NPFL).

The team’s Media Officer, Uwem Ekor, said in Uyo on Wednesday that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youths and Sports, Nse Edem, gave the approval on behalf of the state government.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Akwa United’s original home ground, the Uyo Township Stadium, was among the nine venues suspended from playing host to NPFL matches.

The League Management Company (LMC) which oversees the running of the competition had declared the stadium unfit for its competition and suggested the Akwa Ibom International Stadium as an alternative.

The new venue, also known as the “Nest of Champions’’, and UJ Esuene Stadium were among eight facilities the LMC proposed as alternative grounds for the nine clubs affected.

The clubs had their usage of such home grounds suspended till repairs were effected.

However, the Akwa Ibom International Stadium had for some time been placed under lock and key.

This had prevented Akwa United from using the stadium and making them left with the choice of using the U.J. Esuene Stadium in Calabar.

Ekor said the approval was contained in a letter addressed to the club’s management, in which the government urged the players to make the state proud.

“Government said they should do this by coming out victorious in all their league matches,’’ he said.

The media officer refused to be drawn into the main reason behind the club’s inability to use the facility since its commissioning last year.

“The most important thing is that we have secured approval to play our matches at the `Nest of Champions’.

“I am not competent to speak on the reason why it was placed under lock and key for all this while.

“Now, we have written a letter to the LMC to inform it of the development and the fact that our matches will henceforth be played at the new stadium,’’ he said.

Ekor then urged the club’s fans to fully support them to encourage the players as they play their matches at the new stadium.

NAN reports that Akwa United are currently occupying the 14th position on the season 2014/2015 NPFL table.